COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A RADIO TOWN HALL MEETING AGAINST CORRUPTION, ORGANISED BY THE PROGRESSIVE IMPACT ORGANIZATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (PRIMORG).

BACKGROUND TO DELIBERATIONS

The Progressive Impact Organization For Community Development (PRIMORG) With Support From The Macarthur Foundation Held A Town Hall Meeting Against Corruption On March 12Th, 2021. The Theme Of The Town Hall Meeting Was; Gains, Shortcomings, And Bottlenecks Of War Against Corruption In Nigeria.

The Meeting Was Aimed At Taking An Introspective Look At Nigeria’S Journey In The Fight Against Corruption As Well As Suggesting What Should Be Done To Advance The Fight And Strengthening Anti-Graft Agencies In The Country.

Participants And Speakers At The Meeting Highlighted The Gains Of The Anti-Corruption Fight Led By Past And Present Governments. They Also Noted That The Anti-Corruption War Is Seriously Threatened By Political Interference, Insincerity, And Lack Of Strong Legislation.

The Participants Include Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director, Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP); Tom Odemwingie, Coordinator, Outgrow Hunger Nigeria Campaign; Igho Akeregha, President, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) And; Lemmy Ughegbe, Communication And Advocacy Director, Make A Difference Initiative.
Other Participants Included Callers Via The Phone

In The Course Of Deliberation, Participants At The Town Hall Meeting Noted The Following:

– Re-Examination Of Roles Of Anti-Graft Agencies Needed To Avoid Overlapping Of Responsibilities.

– Nigerians Losing Confidence On Federal Government’S Fight Against Corruption.

– Insincerity Of Government In The Fight Against Corruption Affecting Foreign Direct Investments Into Nigeria And Impoverishing Many Citizens.

– Many Corrupt Nigerians Still Walk Free.

– Opacity In Governance Slowing Down Nigeria’S Progress In Anti-Corruption War.

– Government Response Level To Freedom Of Information Act Not Encouraging Anti-Graft War.

– Government Agencies Ignore Most Freedom Of Information Requests And Court Judgements Not Always Obeyed.

– The Legal Framework Of The Anti-Corruption Agencies Should Be Strengthened To Curb Political Interference.

– Lack Of Political Will From The President Interfering Costing Anti-Corruption Agencies From Delivering On Their Mandate.

– Constitutional Powers Of The President To Hire And Fire Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Heads Hinder The Commission From Doing Their Job Effectively.

– Political Leaders In Nigeria Uses Their Position To Confer Undue Advantage On Themselves And Cronies To The Detriment Of The Country At Large.

– Corruption In Nigeria Gave Rise To Poverty, Insecurity, Economic Challenge, And Other Challenge The Nation Is Facing.

– Corruption Worse Under President Muhammadu Buhari’S Administration.

– Corruption Is Highest In Government Offices.

– Anti-Graft Agencies Should Prosecute More High Profile Case And Beam Their Searchlight More On Politically Exposed Nigerians.

– President Buhari’S Administration Plunged Nigeria’S Fight Against Corruption Six Decades Backward.

– Breaching Of the Constitution And Abuse Of Power Are Some For The Most Dangerous Forms Of Corruption.

– New Efcc Boss Must Try To Be Above Board And Should Be More Loyal To Nigeria Than The President Buhari If He Is To Make A Difference.

Conclusion

– President’S Constitutional Power Of Appointing Leaders Of Anti-Graft Agencies Should Be Stripped To Make Them Independent And Curb Political Interference.

– Anti-Graft Agencies Should Prosecute More High Profile Case And Beam Their Searchlight More On Politically Exposed Nigerians.

– Investigative Journalists Should Be Protected.

– Whistleblowers Must Be Encouraged Through Protective Legislation, Lest People Will Be Too Scared To Give Out Information.

– Citizens Should Reject Inducement Of All Sort By Politicians To Vote Them Into Office.

– Citizens Should Get Their Voters Card And Must Be Ready To Fully Participate By Voting And Defending Their Votes.

– Political Parties Must Ensure Men Of Integrity Emerge As Their Flag Bearers, Expunge Ethnicity And Religious Sentiments In Candidates’ Selection.

Contact:

Chidozie Ogbonnaya

Media And Communications Officer

PRIMORG

09022656167